News Releases, Media Advisories

 

For Immediate Release:                                                                              Contact:  Kelly Huff
April 9, 1999                                                                                                                   Ron Harris
                                                                                                                                          Sharon Snyder
                                                                                                                                          Ian Stirton

 

FEC RELEASES FOUR COMPLIANCE CASES

WASHINGTON -- The Federal Election Commission has made public its final action on four matters previously under review (MURs). This release contains only summary information. Closed files should be thoroughly read for details, including the FEC’s legal analysis of the case. (Please see footnote at the end of this release.) Closed MUR files are available in the Public Records Office.

1. MUR 4686

RESPONDENTS: (a) New York State AFL-CIO, Edward J. Cleary, President (NY)

(b) Eric Vitaliano for Congress, Judith C. Bello, treasurer (NY)

COMPLAINANTS: Ted Maness, Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee (DC)

SUBJECT: Union contributions

DISPOSITION: (a) Reason to believe, but took no further action*

(re: endorsement of candidate on internet site)

No reason to believe*

(re: mailings endorsing candidate)

(b) No reason to believe*

2. MUR 4716

RESPONDENTS: Dick Lane for Congress Committee, Dick Lane, treasurer (CA)

COMPLAINANT: FEC Initiated (RAD)

SUBJECT: Failure to file disclosure reports timely

DISPOSITION: Conciliation Agreement: $ 750 civil penalty*

3. MUR 4791

RESPONDENTS: Ryan for Congress, Larry E. Everhart, treasurer (WI)

COMPLAINANT: Elizabeth A. Erven (WI)

SUBJECT: Disclaimer

DISPOSITION: Reason to believe, but took no further action*

Sent admonishment letter.

 

4. MUR 4828

RESPONDENTS: Friends of Baron Hill, William C. Cochran, treasurer (IN)

COMPLAINANT: Ted Maness III, Executive Director, National Republican Congressional Committee (DC)

SUBJECT: Disclaimer

DISPOSITION: No reason to believe*

*There are four administrative stages to the FEC enforcement process:

1. Receipt of proper complaint                                     3. "Probable cause" stage

2. "Reason to believe" stage                                     4. Conciliation stage

It requires the votes of at least four of the six Commissioners to take any action. The FEC can close a case at any point after reviewing a complaint. If a violation is found and conciliation cannot be reached, then the FEC can institute a civil court action against a respondent.

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